Starting with 107 teams, the hopeful qualifiers for next year’s 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup are down to just 18 teams. 89 teams have already been eliminated over three rounds, and now we’re down to the final nine matches of qualifying.
The 108th edition of the Open Cup started off better than last year. While 2022’s qualifying round was filled with forfeits, only three games have so far. The biggest story of the first qualifying round is how many familiar faces went down in their first match. Two former champions failed to escape the first weekend while two 2022 competitors were pushed to the brink. The second round saw even more of those teams go down such as United German Hungarians and New York Greek American SC, both having made multiple Finals in the past.
The nine winners of this final round will qualify for the First Round proper in March of 2023.
Here is the preview for the nine matches being played this weekend.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
Chicago House AC (Midwest Premier League / USASA)
at
Brockton FC United (Bay State Soccer League /USASA)
Randolph High School; Randolph, MA
Kickoff: 2 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA
Chicago House AC | Chicago, IL
Midwest Premier League West
2022 Spring Season: 5-1-5, 20 pts., 27 GF 8 GA, 4 GA, 4th place
Chicago House AC began playing in NISA in the 2021 Fall season, but left the league after that first season due to a dispute between team owners and league officials. As a result, House were voted out of the league and left unable to participate in the 2022 Open Cup. The team spent 2022 playing in the semi-pro Midwest Premier League. CEO Peter Wilt has expressed interest in returning to NISA for the 2023 season.
Chicago House AC are tasked with one of the longest “Win and You’re In” road trips in the last few years, travelling 1,001 miles to Randolph, Mass. to face Brockton FC United for a spot in the 2023 US Open Cup. Only four other times since 2016 have a team been required to travel over 1,000 miles, with the longest trip coming when San Francisco’s Olympic Club covered 1,272 miles to face Azteca FC in Aurora, Colo. on Nov. 23, 2019, which Olympic Club won 3-1. The same day Livonia City FC of Michigan travelled 1,185 miles to face Louisiana Krewe FC in Lafayette, La., ending up with a 1-0 loss. The games were all for nothing however, as the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2020 U.S. Open Cup.
Longest distance travelled for “Win and You’re In” games since 2016 (per Google Maps)
11/23/2019 Olympic Club (San Francisco, CA) at Azteca FC (Aurora, CO) – 1,272 Mi.
10/22/2016 Colorado Rush (Littleton, CO) at IPS/Marathon Taverna (Portland, OR) – 1249 Mi.
11/23/2019 Livonia City FC (Livonia, MI) at Louisiana Krewe FC (Lafayette, LA) – 1,185 Mi.
11/19/2017 Stegman’s SC (Minneapolis, MN) at Rochester River Dogz (Rochester, NY) – 1,009 Mi.
12/17/2022 Chicago House AC (Chicago, IL) at Brockton FC United (Brockton, MA) – 1,001 Mi.
Win and You’re In History
This is first ever “Win and You’re In” game for Chicago House AC and is the first to involve a Chicago club since 2014 qualifying. Schwaben AC defeated fellow Chicago club AAC Eagles 3-1 in qualifying for the 2014 tournament, with Schwaben netting a pair of goals in the 76th and 78th minutes for the win.
How They Got Here
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: Tied 1-1 vs. Ft. Wayne 1927 SC. (Chicago advance 4-3 on PKs)
Round 3: Won, 2-1 at Metro Louisville FC
Chicago House AC had a bye in the first round of qualifying. In the second round, House were pushed to the limit by Ft. Wayne’s 1927 SC of the Ohio Valley Premier League. After going down 1-0 in the 8th minute, Chicago House equalized one minute into stoppage time on a Seo-in Kim penalty kick. After a scoreless extra time, Chicago prevailed 4-3 in the penalty tiebreaker. Full match video
In the third round, Chicago House travelled to Jeffersonville, Ind. to face the UPSL’s Metro Louisville. In the 9th minute, Seo-In Kim converted a penalty for Chicago, but Louisville equalized in the 28th minute. Eight minutes later, a foul by Chicago’s AR Smith led to a scuffle between the two teams, resulting in a red card for Chicago’s Daniel Hayes. Midway through the second half Metro Louisville found themselves down to ten men due to a red card, and shortly after Jedidiah McCloud scored what turned out to be the game winning goal after his shot was deflected into the net. Full Match Video
Brockton FC United | Brockton, MA
Bay State Soccer League, Division 1
2022 Season: 7-8-3, 24 pts., 47 GF 45 GA , 4th place
Brockton FC United are looking to advance to their second straight Open Cup after qualifying in 2022. Their qualifying run last season finished with a dominating 17 goals scored against just three allowed. While Brockton’s BSSL team is Under-21, the club will have their senior UPSL team on the field as most of the Under-21 players are with their college teams now. The Brockton FC United UPSL team went 10-0-0 this past spring but were upset in the New England Division playoffs by Santa Cruz FC. Several of the players on the roster for Brockton FC United come from the Portuguese & Cape Verdean population in and around Brockton, Mass. The city of Brockton and the Cape Verdean community have been previously represented in the Open Cup by Emigrantes das Ilhas in 2009.
Win and You’re In History
Brockton FC United have had two appearances in “Win and You’re In” games, one good and one bad. The bad came in 2020 Open Cup qualifying, when the Massachusetts club dropped a 1-0 decision to New York Pancyprian Freedoms in a game that was halted in the 56th minute due to heavy rain and wind, causing the playing surface to become unsafe. Since play had begun in the second half, the game was considered official. In the end the 2020 tournament was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. TheCup.us Match Report
Two years later, Brockton would make good on their chance to qualify for the 2022 US Open Cup, making the trip south to Philadelphia and coming away with a 5-0 victory over Philadelphia Lone Star. Walter Varela and Nilton de Andrade gave Brockton a 2-0 halftime lead, then Geo Alves, Rilton Carvalho and Ruben Almeida finished the scoring in the second half to book Brockton’s first ever entry into the Open Cup proper. TheCup.us Match Report
How They Got Here
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: Won, 1-0 vs. Boston Street FC
Round 3: Won, 5-2 vs. Unations FC
After first round bye, Brockton defeated Boston Street FC 1-0 in the second round in a game that featured an “only in the US Open Cup” moment. Boston Street protested that the field was too narrow, and it was indeed one yard short when measured. Given a 7 p.m. deadline to fix the issue, Brockton supporters bought field chalk from a local hardware store to re-line the field and finished one minute before the deadline to avoid a Brockton forfeit. On the field, Antonio Correira scored the lone goal in the 64th minute off of a free kick from Geo Alves.
In the third round Brockton, Antonio Correia led the way with two goals and two assists in a 5-2 win over Unations FC of the UPSL. Correia opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and eight minutes later Kily doubled their lead.. In the second half Unations pulled level after ten minutes of second half play, but from there all the scoring was from Brockton. Leonardo Teixeira and Correia assisted one another as each player scored in the 70th and 80th minutes. Euclides Mendoca scored number five for Brockton with a couple minutes left.
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Club de Lyon (NISA Nation / USASA)
at
South Carolina United Heat (UPSL)
Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center; Columbia, SC
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA
Club de Lyon | Orlando, FL
NISA Nation Florida Region
2022 Spring Season: 10-1-1, 31 pts., 48 GA 8 GA, 1st place
UPSL Florida Central Division
2022 Fall Season: 8-0-2, 26 pts., 42 GF 6 GA, 1st place
Club de Lyon won the NISA Nation Florida Region with a 10-1-1 record, and their 48 goals scored was tops among all the NISA Nation teams. Victor Rojas led all of NISA Nation with 8 goals and 12 assists during the 2022 Spring season.
Just before their third round Open Cup qualifying game kicked off, it was announced that Club de Lyon had been accepted to make the move from NISA Nation to NISA. It remains to be seen how this could affect things should Club De Lyon qualify through Open Division qualifying. Currently Club de Lyon has only been accepted into NISA as a member with a pending application to play professionally in 2023. As a professionally sanctioned third division league, all teams from NISA gain automatic entry into the Open Cup proper. The players used in Open Division qualifying are, officially, cup-tied to the NISA Nation team regardless of it qualifies or not.
If Club de Lyon wins this weekend, it would need to remain in NISA Nation in order to remain in the tournament. If the NISA Nation team drops out, the players would not be able to play for the pro team (if it plays) in the tournament. That is unless a waiver is granted by US Soccer. Any forfeit by the NISA Nation team would result in the forfeiture of the $1500 performance bond as well.
Since NISA Nation did not run a Fall season, Club de Lyon has fielded a UPSL team that includes many of the players from the NISA Nation roster. The team finished 8-0-2 in the UPSL Fall Season, placing first in the Florida Central division and nearly matching their NISA Nation goal numbers with 42 scored and only 6 allowed. They were upset in the Florida Central Fall playoffs by Jacksonville FC 2-0.
Win and You’re In history
While this is Club de Lyon’s debut in Open Cup qualifying, there have been two teams from the Orlando area that have reached Win and You’re In games since 2016, and oddly enough neither game was played.
In 2019 qualifying, Florida Soccer Soldiers secured a berth in the 2019 Open Cup with a forfeit victory after Orlando’s America SC withdrew from the Open Cup and the UPSL due to financial reasons. TheCup.us Report
In 2022 qualifying, it was Orlando FC Wolves who benefited from a walkover victory when their opponents SCU Heat were forced to forfeit their game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the team just a day before the game. TheCup.us Report
How They Got Here
1R – Won 3-0 vs. Deportivo Lake Mary FC
2R – Won 3-1 at Orlando FC Wolves
3R – Won 4-2 vs, Florida Premier FC
Club de Lyon opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 3-0 win over fellow Orlando and NISA Nation club Deportivo Lake Mary. Victor Rojas (PK) and Damian Duda scored for Lyon, with the final goal coming from an own goal off a shot by Rojas. In the Second Round, Lyon ousted 2022 qualifier Orlando FC Wolves 3-1 on three unanswered goals after falling behind 1-0 in the 5th minute.
In the third round, Club de Lyon took out UPSL club Florida Premier FC and came away with a 4-2 victory. Florida Premier grabbed the early lead on a 5th minute goal, but Club de Lyon evened up the score in the 26th minute through Felipe Hurtado. Florida Premier retook the lead in the 55th minute on a corner kick, but Club de Lyon equalized once again five minutes later with Mateo Borelli’s goal. Club de Lyon grabbed the lead for good on two quick goals from Kewin Duque.
South Carolina United Heat | Columbia, SC
UPSL Mid-Atlantic Division
2022 Spring Season – 9-0-1, 27 pts., 39 GF 7 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season – 10-0-0, 30 pts., 54 GF 7 GA, 1st place
South Carolina United Heat are looking to make up for a disappointing end of their 2022 Open Cup qualifying campaign. After defeating Atletico Atlanta (3-1) and Georgia Revolution FC Reserves (3-2 aet), SCU Heat were forced to forfeit their final qualifying game to Orlando FC Wolves due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the team, missing out on a chance to qualify for the Open Cup.
The Heat won the UPSL Mid-Atlantic division Spring season with a 9-0-1 mark but fell in the first round of the playoffs to Georgia FC 2-0. SCU followed up with a perfect Fall season, finishing 10-0-0 while racking up 54 goals against just 7 conceded. SCU swept through the Mid Atlantic Fall playoffs and have advanced to the UPSL Round of 16, where they could face Beaman United in January should Beaman defeat the winner of the UPSL Georgia division playoffs.
Win and You’re In history
As mentioned before, SCU Heat had to forfeit their final round game to Orlando FC Wolves last year due a COVID-10 outbreak among the team days before they were to travel to Orlando for the game. TheCup.us Report
The only other appearance from a North or South Carolina side in a Win and You’re In game came in 2019 when Soda City FC Sorinex fell to Nashville United 4-0. TheCup.us Match Report. In 2015 North Carolina’s Triangle Brigade earned an Open Cup berth by winning their group in the USASA Region III Open Cup Finals. TheCup.us Report
How They Got Here
1R – Bye
2R – Won 4-0 at TCSA
3R – Won 3-0 vs. Tobacco Road FC
SC Heat took its first step towards avenging last year’s disappointing finish, defeating TCSA of the UPSL 4-0 in the Second round of qualifying. Two goals from Rodane McKenzie powered the Heat, with Alejo Binaghi, Mitch Backer scoring the other two.
In the third Round SCU Heat stopped Tobacco Road FC 3-0. With only 10 players available, Tobacco Road held SCU scoreless for most of the first half. Finally, in the 33rd minute SCU broke through on a pair of goals two minutes apart. SCU sealed the victory on a one-on-one breakaway goal in the 75th minute. Full Match Video
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UDA Soccer (UPSL)
at
Azteca FC (Colorado Super League / USASA)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Field 8); Commerce City, CO
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: NONE
UDA Soccer | Las Cruces, NM
UPSL West Texas-New Mexico Division
2022 Spring Season – 6-2-2, 20 pts., 25 GF 11 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season – 5-3-0, 15 pts., 26 GF 16 GA, 2nd place
UDA is a soccer academy at New Mexico State University that allows players to receive year-round training while enrolled at New Mexico State. UDA had a successful 2022 Spring season, finishing first in the West Texas-New Mexico Division with a 6-2-2 record, and advancing to the UPSL National Quarterfinals. In the fall season UDA slipped to a 5-3-0 record to finish second. Two of their three losses came to fall division winners El Paso Surf Soccer Club., and fell 2-1 to Rush ACM3 in the fall playoffs of the West Texas-New Mexico division .
Win and You’re In history
This is UDA Soccer’s first appearance in a Win and You’re In qualifying game. This is also the closest an Open Division team from New Mexico has come to qualifying for the Open Cup proper since MLS clubs joined the tournament in 1995. Only a couple team representing New Mexico have participated in qualifying since 1995 with no success. Prior to ’95 the deepest run a New Mexico team had made in the Open Cup came in 1991 when the New Mexico Chiles of the Southwest Independent Soccer League (now USL) reached the semifinals, losing to fellow SISL club Richardson Rockets 1-0.
How They Got Here
1R – Bye
2R – Won 4-0 vs. Coronado Athletic Club
3R – Won 3-1 (AET) vs. Olympians FC
After a first round bye, UDA had no problem with Coronado Athletic Club (UPSL), winning 4-0. Mattias Cavallo put UDA up 1-0 at the half, and in the second half Eric Gomez-Silva scored twice, and Marco Millan added the final goal.
In the third round UDA hosted Olympians FC of the UPSL and eliminated the Arizona club with a 3-1 extra time victory. Olympians took an early 1-0 lead and held on to that margin for most of the game. With 15 minutes remaining, Olympians saw a player sent off for a second yellow card, but the visitors nearly held on. UDA finally broke through in the 87th minute when Jose “Jay” Mustielis headed home a cross from Marco Milan to tie the game. Deep in extra time, Olympians lost another player to a red card, and UDA took advantage In the 115th minute as Will Hanson’s pass was headed in by Kene Garcia. Two minutes later, Alan Vargas Gudino made it 3-1 to secure UDA’s trip to the final round.
Azteca FC | Denver, CO
Colorado Super League
2022 Spring Season – 6-0-1, 19 pts., 27 gf 10 ga, 2nd place
2022 Fall Season – 5-0-1, 16 pts., 16 GF 6 GA
Azteca FC 5280 have made it to the Open Cup three times, in 2017, 2018 and 2022, and were featured in the “Meet the Underdogs” series last year and in 2017 at TheCup.us. In 2022 qualifying Azteca earned an Open Cup berth by knocking off Colorado Rush (4-1), Colorado Rovers (5-2) and Harpo’s FC (4-3 aet). Azteca won the fall championship of the Colorado Super League with a 2-0 win over FC Denver behind goals from Danny Bautista and Jovany Herrera. The 5280 in Azteca’s name and their logo is the elevation of Denver, Colorado, which sits at over a mile above sea level.
Win and You’re In history
Azteca FC are very familiar with Win and You’re In games, having played in four of them since 2017. Azteca have lost just one of these do or die games, and that result was nullified due to the 2020 Open Cup being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The three wins all have one thing in common, they came at the expanse of Colorado rivals Harpo’s FC.
In Azteca’s first Win and You’re In game against Harpo’s for the 2017 Open Cup, neither team knew at the time that the winner qualified. The game was in the second round in October 2016, and the next round was scheduled for February 2017. After the second round U.S. Soccer decided that the winners of that round were qualified, and the third round was cancelled.
Harpo’s were coming off qualifying for the 2015 & 1026 tournaments, and took the lead in the first half through Chris Salvaggione. In the second half Azteca drew level from a Makyr Opoeza penalty kick, and then took to lead when ex-Chivas winger Omar Ledezma scored off a corner kick. TheCup.us Match Report
The next year Azteca and Harpo’s met for the rematch, and it wound up being another positive result for Azteca. Just like the previous meeting Harpo’s jumped out in from early with Kyle Luetkhens scoring in the 13th minute. Azteca equalized from a penalty kick converted by Erik Chavez, and near the end of the half a skirmish broke out in front the Harpo’s goalmouth that saw both teams lose a player to a red card. Harpo’s came out on the short end of the stick as it was their goalkeeper Zac Gibbens who was sent off. Nine minutes after halftime Azteca took the lead on Dehrian Ramirez’s goal, and a few minutes later Ramirez struck again for a 3-1 Azteca lead.
Harpo’s began their comeback in the 69th minute when Dan Campbell scored, but Azteca restored their two-goal lead in the 75th minute when Chavez scored his second with Ramirez nothing his third assist of the game. TGwo minutes into stoppage time Leutkhens scored his second to make the score 4-3, but it was too little too late for Harpo’s. TheCup.us Match Report
In 2020 Open Cup qualifying, Azteca hoisted Olympic Club from San Francisco, who made the 1,200 mile trip to Aurora, Colorado and came away with a 3-1 win, making the long trip worth it. The game became notable before kickoff, and faulty lighting forced a venue change just an hour before kickoff. Olymnpic opened the scoring quick, with former MLS and USL player Matt Fondy (now playing with Inter San Francisco) scoring in the 5th minute. Azteca tied the game just after halftime on an Erik Chaves penalty, but Olympic retook the lead through a Bryan Burks goal and settled things with an 86th minute score from Javier Amaya-Hill. It would have been Olympic Club’s first ever Open Cup appearance, but the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TheCup.us Match Report
2022 qualifying brought game three of the Azteca-Harpo’s series, and once again Azteca came out on top. Justy as they did in the previous two games, Harpo’s scored early though a 4th minute goal by Max Steinmetz. Harpo’s extended their lead in the 20th minute through Austin Bell, but near the end of the first half Azteca’s Cesar Echegaray cut the lead in half on a free kick. Just before halftime Azteca were awarded a penalty on a handball foul, but Harpo’s goalkeeper Hayden Rus saved Eduardo Reza’s kick.
Right after halftime Eduardo Reza put Azteca level, and in the 68th minute Armando Gonzalez proved good on a 20-year free kick to put Azteca ahead. In the 80th minute Harpo’s found their equalizing goal when Bell scored his second, heading home a Caleb Cole cross. Harpo’s nearly won the game late on a deflected shot, but full time ended 3-3. In extra time Azteca grabbed the lad again in the 100th minute on a Cesar Meza goal Harpo’s fought for another equalizer the rest of the way, but Azteca held on to go 3 for 3 against Harpo’s in Open Cup qualifying. TheCup.us Match Report
Match Highlights
How They Got Here
1R – Won 3-1 at Colorado Rovers
2R – Won 4-1 vs. FC Denver
3R – Won 5-1 vs. Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake
Azteca knocked off Colorado Rovers, another club from the Colorado Super League, 3-1 in the opening round of qualifying. Saul Garcia, Jovany Herrera and Freddy Fragozo scored for Azteca. In the second round Azteca defeated FC Denver, another Super League rival, 4-1. After FC Denver took an early 1-0 lead Azteca scored four unanswered goals. Brice Colcombe equalized in the first half, and Jovany Herrera (PK), Saul Garcia and Jose Bencomo (PK) scored the second half goals. Match Highlights
In the third round both Azteca and Athletic Club of Sloan’s Lake helped clear the snow-covered field at Wheat High School before the game could start, and Azteca were 5-1 winners in the end. Azteca jumped out to a 3-0 first half lead on two goals from Fredy Fragozo (on from a PK) and another from Anthony Miranda, Sloan’s Lake cut the lead to 3-1 in the 75th minute, but Jovany Herrera scored twice afterwards to cement the win
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Inter San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / USASA)
at
BattleBorn FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
Douglas High School; Minden, NV
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA
Inter San Francisco | San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Soccer Football League Majors Division
2022 Season – 15-2-3, 47 pts., 68 GF 32 GA, 1st place
*Won promotion to SFSFL Premier Division
Founded in 2021, Inter San Francisco began in the SFSFL First Division (3rd tier) then won promotion to the Majors Division in 2021. In the 2022 season Inter SF won the Major Division with a 15-3-2 record to move up to the Premier Division, the top tied of the SFSFL. Inter SF made their initial Open Cup qualifying run for the 2022 tournament, defeating Real San Jose 4-2 before losing to Sporting ID11 1-3. In August 2022 former MLS & USL player Matt Fondy joined Inter and has been instrumental in the club’s Open Cup qualifying run. Fondy also helped San Francisco’s Olympic Club qualify for the 2020 Open Cup , although that tournament was cancelled due to the COVD-19 pandemic. Fondy was also a part of SF Metro FC’s run to the final qualifying round last year
Win and You’re In history
Inter San Francisco are making their first appearance in a Win and You’re In game. Four times since 2016 a club from the San Francisco Soccer Football League have reached the final round of qualifying, and most of those times ended in disappointment,
In 2017 the qualifying rounds were reduced to just two rounds after the second round was completed, meaning the second round winners didn’t know they were in the Open Cup proper well after the last qualifying game. One of those teams was El Farolito of the SFSFL, winners of the 1993 Open Cup (as CD Mexico). Farolito overcame a pair of first half red cards to defeat Striker FC South Coast of the UPSL 2-1.
In qualifying for the 2018 Open Cup, El Farolito stormed past the UPSL’s Cal Victory 8-0 in the final round of qualifying. El Farolito got a hat trick from Carlos Montes, two goal each from Ederson De Silva and Gustavo Ruelas, and one from Marco Lubel. TheCup.us Match Report About two months later Farolito got the bad news that they had been disqualified from the 2018 Open Cup because they had switched leagues during the tournament, moving from the SFSFL to the NPSL.
The next disappointment for the SFSFL came in 2020 qualifying. Longtime league member Olympic Club (founded in 1916) made the long trek the face Azteca FC in Aurors, Colorado for the final round. Matt Fondy opened Olympic’s scoring in the 5th minute, and after Azteca tied the game on a penalty kick I the second half, Bryan Burke and Javier Amaya-Hil scored for Olympic Club to seemingly clinch an Open Cup spot. That dream was snatched away a few months later, as U.S. Soccer was forced to cancel the 2020 Open Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first time since 19145 the tournament was not played. TheCup.us Match Report
SF Metro FC reached the final qualifying round for the 2022 Open Cup, only to lose on penalties after a 1-1- draw with Contra Costa FC of the UPSL Matt Fondy opened the scoring to put Metro up 1-0 in the 24th minute, Contra Costa evened the score on Roberto Gonzalez’s goal in the 61st minute. After a scoreless extra time the penalty tiebreaker went 10 rounds, with Contra Costa winning after Metro missed their final attempt and CC converted their final kick. TheCup.us Match Report
How They Got Here
1R – Won 5-0 vs. Marin United
2R – Won 4-0 at Real San Jose
3R – Won 5-0 vs. Davis Legacy
Inter began their 2023 qualifying run with a 5-0 win over Marin United. Former Oakland Roots pro Matt Fondy scored twice, while Dyan Autran, Nikolai Littlejohn (both former Roots players), and Gerardo Burgos added the other goals. In the second round of qualifying, Inter SF had no trouble in dispatching Real San Jose of the National Soccer League 4-0. Dylan Autran scored twice and assisted on Gamal Compaore’s goal for a 3-0 halftime lead. Matt Fondy added the fourth off of a corner kick.
In the third round Inter ran past Davis Legacy FC of the UPSL 5-0. Only nine players for Davis Legacy made the trip to San Francisco and were further reduced to eight players midway through the first half due to injury. Remarkably Davis was able to keep the Inter off the scoreboard for the first half thanks to great goalkeeping from Anthony Gonzalez Cruz. Inter broke through after halftime however, with Javier Rivera Hernandez and Matt Fondy scoring before and after Nikolai Littleton’s hat trick.
BattleBorn FC | Minden, NV
NISA Nation Pacific Region
2022 Spring Season – 5-0-1, 16 pts., 32 GF 5 GA, 1st place
BattleBorn FC were established in 2021 and are making their second attempt at Open Cup qualifying, having reached the Third Round last year where they lost to SF Metro FC 1-0. BattleBorn finished first in the NISA Nation Pacific Region at 5-0-1. Along with Club de Lyon and Capo FC, BattleBorn are among three NISA Nation clubs still alive in Open Cup qualifying, with each team having won their division in the league in 2022.
Win and You’re In history
This is BattleBorn FC’s first ever Win and You’re In qualifying game. The last time Nevada was represented at this stage was in 2017 Open Cup qualifying, when FC Anahuac and MF 10 represented the state in what would ultimately be a Win and You’re In game after the remaining qualifying rounds were later called off and the second round winners awarded Open Cup berths. MF 10 started with only eight players, and after Anahuac jumped out to a 2-0 lead an injury and red card reduced MF 10 to just six players, forcing the referee to stop the game at halftime in favor of FC Anahuac.
How They Got Here
1R – Bye
2R – Won 4-2 at Modesto City
3R – Won 1-0 at Legend Football Gold
BattleBorn began their 2023 qualifying run with a 4-2 win over Modesto City Football Club of the Southwest Premier League. Junior Mahi gave BattleBorn a 1-0 lead just 30- seconds into the game, and Joaquin Garcia Broggi netted two more in the opening half, with Jonathan Cuavas helping on all three goals. Broggi finished his hat trick in the second half. Modesto began a modest comeback but could only cut the score to 4-2.
BattleBorn travelled to Federal Way, Washington for their third round game against Legend Football Gold, and came back 1-0 winners. A 30th minute goal from the penalty spot from Joaquin Garcia was all BattleBorn needed. Five minutes after the goal Legend’s Karsimi Konneh was sent off was sent off, forcing the hosts to play a man down for the remaining 65 minutes.
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West Chester United SC (United Soccer League of PA / USASA)
at
Northern Virginia FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, VA
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA
West Chester United SC | West Chester, PA
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Men’s Major
2021/22 Season – 13-2-0, 39 pts., 70 GF 13 GA, 2nd place
2022/23 Season – 3-0-1, 9 pts., 23 GF 5 GA (ONGOING)
In addition to the USL of PA, West Chester United fields teams in USL League Two and the NPSL. WCU’s USL-2 team qualified for the Open Cup last season, while their USL of PA team made the cut in 2016 & 2019. WCU’s USL-2 & NPSL teams are unlikely to make the cut to qualify from either league for 2023. WCU also reached the National Amateur Cup Final in 2018 and have won the USL 0f PA championship four straight seasons from 2015/16-2018/19. West Chester United finished the ‘21-‘22 USL of PA season in second place behind champions Verinigung Erzgebirge, holding a +57 goal difference. 2022 was the first time since 2016 that their USL of PA team did not enter qualifying, as their USL-2 team had secured an Open Cup spot through league play.
Win and You’re In history
West Chester United have had four opportunities at Win and You’re In games, going 2-2. The first two in 2016 & 2017 didn’t become “Win and You’re In” until U.S. Soccer scrapped the remainder of qualifying some months later. In 2016 qualifying West Chester United earned their first berth in the Open Cup with a 3-0 win over Salone FC. Julien Aoyama scored twice and assisted on the other by Matt Poole. TheCup.us Match Report
2017 saw West Chester tripped up on the final hurdle, dropping a 1-0 result to Christos FC. It wasn’t until the 87th minute that Geaton Caltabiano headed home the winning score for Christos.
West Chester found themselves in the Open Cup proper once again in 2019 with a 3-0 win over Boston’s Safira FC. Chad Poarch opened the scoring in first half stoppage time, and Peter Nolan added goals in the 57th and 60 minutes to seal qualification. TheCup.us Match Report
West Chester’s path to the 2020 tournament was blocked by USL of PA rivals Vereingung Erzebirge, although months later VE’s Open Cup dreams were snuffed out as well when the tournament was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Derek Antonini put VE ahead 1-0 in the opening half and assisted on Alec Neimann’s game winner in the second half for VE. Andrew Gonzalez scored a late goal for West Chester. TheCup.us Match Report
How They Got Here
1R – Won 2-1 vs. Ukrainian Nationals
2R – Won 4-0 vs. United German Hungarians
3R – Won 4-0 at Verinigung Erzgebirge
WCU opened Open Cup qualifying his year with a 2-1 win over fellow USL of PA club and four time Open Cup champions Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. After the Uke Nats jumped out to an early lead, but Finn Reese leveled the score a few minutes before halftime. As extra time seemed certain, Derek Ramirez stepped up to convert a penalty kick in second half stoppage time. West Chester United blanked another USL of PA rival, United German Hungarians, 4-0 in the second round. After a scoreless opening half, WCU broke through for four goals. Finn Reese led the way with two goals and an assist, with Levi Maruca and Clay Moyer scoring the other two. Match Highlights
In the third round faced another USL of PA rival, Verinigung Erzgebirge, at VE’s home in Warminster, Pennsylvania, posting their second straight 4-0 victory. Derek Ramirez scored first from the penalty spot in the 11th minute, and Finn Reese scored the second seven minutes later. In the second half Mason Miller pushed WCU’s score to 3, and then Reese assisted on the fourth goal by Jake Gosselin. Match Report from Brotherlygame.com
NoVa FC | Leesburg, VA
Eastern Premier Soccer League Mid-Atlantic Division
2021/22 Season – 12-1-0, 36 pts., 66 GF 15 GA 1st place
*Won 2021/22 Mid-Atlantic Division Playoffs
2022/23 Season – 7-0-0. 21 pts., 42 GF 4 GA (ONGOING)
Northern Virginia FC had quite a season in 2022. NoVa qualified for the 2022 Open Cup, winning their first round game 3-1 over EPSL rivals Lynchburg FC, and narrowly lost 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers of USL League One. NoVa also finished in first place in the EPSL Mid-Atlantic Division with a 12-0-1 record, and also won the Division playoffs. Finally, NoVa nearly gained automatic qualification to the 2023 Open Cup, losing the 2022 National Amateur Cup Final to Bavarian United FC 1-0.
Northern Virginia broke a 21-year drought with its 2022 Open Cup appearance. The team started as the Northern Virginia Royals in the USL D-3 Pro League in 1998, and qualified for the 1999 & 2000 tournaments. Their debut season in 1998 was the subject of a book titled “Unlucky: A Season of Struggle in Minor League Professional Soccer” by Dave Ungrady. In 2006 the club moved to the PDL (Now USL League Two) and eventually rebranded as Evergreen FC and then Evergreen Hammers. During this time they briefly partnered with D.C. United for a joint team called D.C. United U-23s. The USL-2 team renamed themselves Northern Virginia FC, although the club already had teams in the UPSL and EPSL under that name.
Win and You’re In history
NoVa FC’s only other appearance in a Win and You’re In game a year ago with a 5-0 win over Distictonia Futol, despite finishing the game with nine men. NoVa scored twice in the span of 11 minutes, both goals coming from KJ Nadeau in the 15ht and 26th minutes. In the final 15 minutes of the first half NoVa found themselves in a hold when Luke Campbell was sent off for his second yellow card and Francisco Diorio was shown a straight red.
NoVa pushed through the 2-man disadvantage and picked up where they started in the first half, Nadeau scored his third in the 63rd minute, and JP Ayolmbong (72”) and Ahmed Ismail (90”+) finished the scoring for NoVa FC.
How They Got Here
1R – Drew 0-0 vs. Steel Pulse FC. NoVa FC advance on penalties 3-1
2R – Won 6-0 vs. Germantown City
3R – Won 1-0 at DCFC
NoVa began their 2023 qualifying run with a penalty shootout win over Steel Pulse FC of the Maryland Super Soccer League. Steel Pulse held NoVa to a scoreless draw for 120 minutes, 110 of which Steel Pulse played with 10 men. NoVa prevailed in the shootout 3-1 to advance.
NoVa’s second round game was much easier, cruising past Germantown FC of the UPSL 6-0. Vagner Marques opened the scoring early in the game and assisted on Kevin Nadeau’s goal in the 30th minute. Nadeau struck again just before halftime by heading in a free kick from Jhonny De Souza. Marques added his second goal just after halftime, and Nadeau completed his hat trick with an easy goal after an error by Germantown’s goalkeeper. Frankie DiOrio finished NoVa’s scoring with a rocket free kick. Full Match Video
NoVa’s third round game came on a chilly and damp night against DCFC in the nation’s capital, and NoVa slipped out with a 1-0 win. The long goal of the game came in the 42nd minute when Vagner Maquis scored after a pass from Ahmed Shea. Early in the second half NoVa nearly doubled their lead, but the goal was called back on a close offside decision. DCFC had one last dangerous opportunity deep into stoppage time with a free kick at the top of the penalty area, but NoVa’s defensive wall blocked the attempt.
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Lansdowne Yonkers FC (Eastern Premier Soccer League / USASA)
at
SC Vistula Garfield (Garden State Soccer League / USASA)
Athenia Steel Recreation Complex; Clifton, NJ
Kickoff: 7:45 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: YouTube
Lansdowne Yonkers FC | Yonkers, NY
Eastern Premier Soccer League Metropolitan Division
2021/22 Season – 12-1-5, 41 pts., 43 GF 15 GA, 3rd place
2022/23 Season – 8-1-1, 25 pts., 23 GF 7 GA (ONGOING)
Lansdowne Yonkers was founded in 1997 as Lansdowne Bhoys FC and won the Cosmopolitan Soccer League championship four times in a row starting with the 2013-14 season through the 2016-17 season. After changing the club’s name to Lansdowne Yonkers, they moved to the EPSL and won the inaugural championship for the 2020-21 season.
Lansdowne Yonkers FC return to Open Cup qualifying after having earned a spot in last year’s tournament as 2021 National Amateur Cup champions. Lansdowne also qualified for the Open Cup in 2016 and 2018 as members of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. The club also previously won the National Amateur Cup in 2017. Lansdowne have racked up three wins in the Open Cup proper, with their biggest coming in 2016 as a 2-0 upset of USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Win and You’re In History
Lansdowne Yonkers’s first Win and You’re In success came in 2016 under a different name as Lansdowne Bhoys. A 5-0 win over Worcester FC gained Lansdowne a berth months after the game when U.S. Soccer scrapped the final round of Open Division qualifying, leading to the 14 Second Round winners with Open Cup entries. Through goals from Ovan Oakley and Sikele Sylvester, Lansdowne had a 2-0 halftime lead. Karim Russell, Ian Sweeney, and Gareth McGlynn tallied in the final 45 minutes for the 5-0 win. TheCup.us Match report
Lansdowne entered 2018 qualifying as defending National Amateur Cup champions, before the winner of that competition gained an automatic Open Cup berth. Lansdowne gained their second Open Cup spot in three years with a 3-1 win over Junior Lone Star U-23 of Philadelphia. Daryl Kavanaugh, a veteran of many League of Ireland clubs from 2005-2015, scored a pair of goals in the second half to power the Yonkers club to victory. Paco Navarro put Lansdowne up 1-0 by halftime. Kavanaugh then added his town goals in the second half before Long Star tallied to avoid the shutout. TheCup.us Match Report
The latest Win and You’re In triumph or Lansdowne came outside of proper Open Cup qualifying for the 2022 tournament, as the club won the 2021 National Amateur Cup in August 2021. Starting with the 2019 Open Cup the winner of the previous year’s National Amateur Cup gained a berth in the following year’s Open Cup tournament. Lansdowne’s Amateur Cup win came at the expense of Cal FC, who famously upended the Portland Timbers in the 2012 Open Cup. Cal FC jumped in front in the 30th minute on German Alfaro’s goal, but less than a minute after halftime for Patrick McCann to head home the tying goal for Lansdowne. In the 61st minute McCann earned a penalty when his shot hit the hand of a Cal FC defender, and Joseph DeVivo converted the spot kick that turned out to be the winning goal in the 2-1 victory. TheCup.us Match Report
How They Got Here
1R – Won 5-0 vs. Manhattan Kickers
2R – Won 3-0 at NY Greek American
3R – Won 4-1 vs. Oyster Bay United
Lansdowne opened their qualifying campaign with a 5-0 win over Manhattan Kickers FC of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. Shawn Genus scored three of the five goals, two coming in the first half. Julio Espinal and Joseph DeVivo added two other first half goals. Full Match Video
In the second round Lansdowne defeated EPSL rivals NY Greek American SC 3-0. Shamir Mullings gave Lansdowne a 1-0 halftime lead and Bala Danso and Daryl Kavanaugh added two more in the second half. Full Match Video
In the third round Lansdowne knocked off 2022 qualifier Oyster Bay United 4-1. Joseph DeVivo put Lansdowne ahead in the 33rd minute, and Lansdowne would hold the 1-0 lead into halftime. Lansdowne resumed scoring in the 61st minute on a Shaquille Sanchez goal, and soon afterwards Oyster Bay got their long goal through Julio Espinal. To finish things off Shawn Genus netted the final two goals for the winners. Full Match Video
SC Vistula Garfield | Garfield, NJ
Garden State Soccer League Super Division
2021-22 Season – 7-4-2, 23 pts., 26 GF 17 GA, 2nd place
2022-23 Season – 5-0-0. 15 pts., 19 GF 8 GA (ONGOING)
Celebrating its 70th anniversary, Vistula have often entered Open Cup qualifying in the past, but this is their first appearance since qualifying was revamped in 2015. Vistula’s first known appearance in the Open Cup came in qualifying for the 1971 tournament. Vistula recently advanced to the Quarterfinals of the New Jersey State Cup with a 4-0 win over NJ Santos, getting two goals from Pawel Kondratowicz, and one each from Chris Karcz, and Paul Lee. Vistula ae looking to end a 52-year drought since their last New Jersey title in 1970. The club takes its name from the Vistula River, the longest river in Poland. It’s over 651 miles long and runs from Poland’s southern border with Slovakia to the Baltic Sea.
Win and You’re In history
Vistula Garfield have never player in a Win and You’re In game since Open Division qualifying was restructured in 2016. However, the club have reached the final qualifying game in 1998 & 2003 when just 4 teams from what is now the Open Division qualified for the tournament.
In 1998 Vistula made their way to the USASA Region I final after defeating United German Hungarians (Pa.) 5-1 in extra time. In the final, Vistula fell to four-time Open Cup champs NY Greek American in a contested game in which Vistula protested that NYGA used ineligible players. Their protest was denied, and the Greeks qualified for the Open Cup.
In 2003 Vistula ran through a gauntlet of former champions to get to the Region I Final, and was led by Vistula’s current head coach Chris Karcz, who was sometimes referred to by his given name of Krzysztof. In the Region I Quarterfinals Vistula knocked off four time Open Cup champions Ukrainian Nationals 3-0 on goals from Krzysztof Mioduszewski, Marcin Kasica, Chris Karcz. In the semifinals Vistula faced another four-time champion, their nemesis in the 1998 Region I Final NY Greek American. Vistula came out 4-1 winners behind two goals from Karcz and single goals from Mioduszewski and Kasica.. Vistula’s run fell short at the Region I final with a 2-0 loss to the Bridgeport Italians.
How They Got Here
1R – Won 1-0 vs NY Pancyprian Freedoms
2R – Won 3-1 at Jackson Lions FC
3R – Won 2-1 vs. IASC Boom
Vistula pulled off a bit of an upset in the opening round of qualifying, knocking off NY Pancyprian Freedoms 1-0. Goalkeeper Anthony Caruso kept the Freedoms scoreless, and 40-year-old Christopher Karcz headed home the winner for Vistula in the 89th minute. Full Match Video
In the second round Vistula faced off with GSSL rivals Jackson Lions FC. Paul Kondratowicz opened the scoring for Vistula in the first half and Nicholas Kozdron converted a penalty in the second. Jackson pulled back a goal late on a penalty kick but Vistula held on to advance.
In the third round Vistula left it late in their 2-1 defeat of IASC Boom of the Rochester District Soccer League. Vistula started quick with a goal in the 10th minute by Wojciech Piwowarczyk headed home a pass from Dean Wright. IASC equilized midway through the second half on a goal from Ayub Jeylani. In the 80th minute, Vistula’s Vikotor Pervushki sent a low cross into the box, but whet the IASC goalkeeper punched it away it went straight to Chris Karcz close-range goal. Full Match Video
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (UPSL)
at
Beaman United FC (UPSL)
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex; Murfreesboro, TN
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA
Beaman United FC | Nashville, TN
UPSL KY-TN Division
2022 Spring Season – 8-1-1, 25 pts., 53 GF 8 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season – 7-1-2, 23 pts., 41 GF 15 GA, 2nd place
Beaman United was established in 2021 as a youth soccer academy, with their UPSL team serving as its senior team. The organization follows a philosophy and methodology of “Mia San Mia”, which comes from 19th century Germany meaning “Complete will to Succeed.”
Beaman went on to reach the UPSL National Semifinals, defeating the Dodge City Toros 2-1, then lost to Orange County FC 3-1 in the UPSL Championship game. Beaman also appeared to reach the 2022 National Amateur Cup Semifinals after defeating ASC New Stars 3-0 to win the Region III tournament but were later disqualified due to ineligible players.
Beaman captain Kwadwo Poku has an interesting US Open Cup resume from his earlier playing days. In addition to his nine career tournament goals, he is one of two players to score a goal in three consecutive tournaments for three different teams at three different levels. Poku scored for the Georgia Revolution (NPSL) in 2013, Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL, Div. 2 pro) in 2014 and then for New York City FC (MLS, Div. 1) in 2015.
Win and You’re In history
While Beaman United have never participated in the Win and You’re In game before, there have been two other appearances by a Tennessee club in an all of nothing qualifying game, both by Nashville United.
First in 2018 qualifying, Miami’s FC Kendall made the lengthy trip to a rainy and stormy Murfreesboro, Tennessee to face Nashville United. Kendall jumped out to a 4-0 lead by halftime. Nashville attempted a comeback in the second half with a pair of goals from Andrew Chamberlain and Joe Omondi, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Kendall’s wide lead. TheCup.us Match Report
In 2020 it would be Nashville United handing out a beating as the visiting side, rolling past Soda City FC Sorinex 4-0 in Columbia, South Carolina. Two goals from former Tampa Bay Rowdie Georgi Hristov and two more from Logan Paynter seemingly sent Nashville United to their first Open Cup. Months last Nashville’s hopes would be dashed as the 2020 tournament was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TheCup.us Match Report
How They Got Here
1R – Bye
2R – Won 3-1 at Bowling Green FC
3R – Drew 4-4 at Kalonji Pro-Profile. Beaman United advanced on penalties 4-3
After a first round bye. Beaman United opened it’s 2023 Open Cup qualifying run with a 3-1 won over the UPSL’s Bowling Green FC. Alphonso Gooden scored first for Beaman in the 22nd minute. Eight minutes later former NYCFC midfielder Kwadwo Poku doubled the lead. After seeing their lead cut in half just after halftime, Beaman regained their two goal advantage through a tap in goal from Hayden Black.
Beaman’s third round game with Kalonji Pro-Profile turned out to be perhaps the wildest contest of this year’s qualifying, ending in a 4-4 extra time draw with Beaman advancing on penalty kicks 4-3.Kalonji took a 2-1 led into halftime on goals from Anthony Sumo and Junior Sandoval. Beaman cut the led in half in first half stoppage time on a goal from Michael Reed. Midway through the second half Beaman finally tied the score what Kwadwo Poku scored in the 72nd minute. Soon after Kalonji retook the lead on Junior Sandoval’s second goal. Just before second half stoppage time Beaman found their tying goal when Seth Poku scored off a corner kick that Kalonji goalkeeper Henry Pleitez failed to control.
In extra time Kalonji were reduced to ten men after a red card, and with 12 minutes remaining Seth Poku gave Beaman their first lead of the game with his second goal. Deep into extra time stoppage time Kalonji took one last corner kick that hit the post, and waiting for the rebound was Pleitez, making up for his earlier mistake to tap in the dramatic goal to make it 4-4 and send the game to penalties. In the penalty shootout the teams found themselves level at 3-3 heading into the fifth shooter, Alex Rodriguez saved Kalonji’s attempt, and the veteran Kwadwo Poku converted his spot kick to send Beaman to the final round. Full Match Video
D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club | Dallas, TX
UPSL Texas North Division
2022 Spring Season – 7-1-2, 23 pts., 62 GF 6 GA, 1st place
2022 Fall Season – 5-1-4, 19 pts, 29 GF 16 GA, 2nd place
D’Feeters qualified for the 2022 Open Cup, knocking off the NPSL’s Denton Diablos 3-2 before losing to the USL Championship’s San Antonio FC 3-1 in the Second Round. D”Feeters qualified for the 2022 tournament through The Roja League, then moved to the UPSL for the 2022 season. DFKSC finished first in the UPSL Texas North with a 7-1-2 record and a dominating +56 goal difference but were upset in the Texas North playoff Final by FC Forth Worth. D’Feeters finished 2nd in the Fall season and have advanced to the UPSL Round of 32 after winning the Texas North playoffs.
Win and You’re In’ history
D’Feeters Kicks have had one previous Win and You’re In game, coming last year over Southwest FC to earn their first Open Cup appearance. Southwest was coming off 7-1 and 6-1 wins in their previous qualifying games. After 30 minutes of scoreless play, D’Feeters grabbed the lead as Steven Chavez, but Southwest soon equalized on a goal from Danny Chairez. As the teams seemed certain to finish the second half scoreless and head to extra time, D’Feeters were awarded a penalty kick in the 85th minute, and Sebastian Mendez stepped up and gave D’Feeters the goal that would be the eventual game winner. TheCup.us Match Report
How They Got Here
1R – Won 5-1 at FC Fort Worth
2R – Won 3-2 at Alamo City SC
3R – Won 2-0 vs. D10 Lions. Match was abandoned in 70th minute due to referee abuse by D10 players.
D’Feeters Kicks opened their 2023 qualifying run with a 5-1 win over FC Fort Worth, five different players scoring for DFKFC. The win was a bit of payback for FC Fort Worth defeating D’Feeters Kicks in the UPSL Texas North playoffs in June. In the second round D’Feeters knocked off Alamo City Soccer Club (UPSL) 3-2, with Sebastian Mendez scoring all three goals.
D’Feeters’ third round game with Houston’s D10 Lions was perhaps the most newsworthy of the round, as the referee abandoned the game in the 74th minute with D’Feeters up 2-0 due to abuse from D10 Lions players. Sebastian Mendez gave D’Feeters a 1-0 lead in the first half, and Mendez assisted on the second goal from Oscar Ocampo. In the 74th minute things fell apart for D10, as a pair of players confronted the referee after the team’s fourth red card of the game. One player spat in the direction of the referee, causing the official to call the game off. TheCup.us Match Report Full Match Video (In Spanish): First Half Second Half
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Naples City FC (UPSL)
at
Miami United FC (National Soccer League / USSSA)
Milander Park; Hialeah, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA
Naples City FC | Naples, FL
UPSL Florida West Division
2022 Spring Season – 4-4-2, 14 pts., 9 GF 11 GA
2022 Fall Season – 5-3-4, 19 pts., 15 GF 13 GA
Naples City FC struggled in the UPSL Florida West Division in the 2022 Spring season, finishing 4-4-2 and a sixth-place finish. Naples finished third in the Fall season but fell in the opening round of the division playoffs.
Naples City also has a team in the National Soccer League Florida South First Division, in which they won the championship of the Spring season. The club also fields a team in the UPSL Women’s league, currently in first place in the Florida South division Fall season.
Win and You’re In history
This is Naples City first Win and You’re In contest, although beach of the previous three years a Florida based UPSL team has advanced to the final round of qualifying.
Florida Soccer Soldiers secured a berth in the 2019 Open Cup with a forfeit victory after America FC withdrew due to financial reasons. TheCup.us Report
In 2020 qualifying it was Miami United’s u-23 team (then playing in the UPSL) that qualified for the Open Cup with a 4-0 win over fellow UPSL club Hurricane FC. Bautista Dominquez gave Miami United a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute. Darryl Gordon, Nicolas Micoli and William Stamatis each added goals before halftime to allow Miami United U-23 to cruise to an apparent Open Cup bid, but months after the game the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TheCup.us Match Report
Last year Floridan Soccer Soldiers were on the doorstep of their second Open Cup appearance but fell 4-0 to City Soccer FC of the National Soccer League, although City Soccer also fielded a team in the UPSL but entered qualifying with their NSL team.. Kevin Velasquez opened the scoring for City Soccer in the 32nd minute after miscommunication between the Soccer Soldiers’ defenders and goalkeeper. City Soccer scored their final three goals in the second half through two goals from Ricardo Tapia and one from Christopher Llorente. TheCup.us Match Report
How They Got Here
1R – Bye
2R – Won 4-0 at Naples City FC. Game stopped in 65th minute due to severe weather
3R – Won 3-0 at Miami Soccer Academy
After a first round bye Naples City defeated Naples United FC of the NSL 4-0 in a game stopped in the 65th minute due to severe weather. Raidel Ramos, Alejandro Martinez and Mateo Rolon scored first half goals, and Martinez added another in thew second half before heavy rain stopped the match. Full Match Video
In the third round Naples and Miami Soccer Academy had to wait almost an hour to kickoff due to bad weather, but when the game commenced Naples came away with a 3-0 victory. Naples scored in the 15th and 18th minutes on goals from Raidel Ramos and Adriel Rodriguez, In the 61st minute Naples got their third goal when Arnold Mendez’s shot was tipped by the MSA goalkeeper and continued into the net. Full Match Video (Spanish)
Miami United FC | Miami Beach, FL
National Soccer League Florida Elite Division
2022 Spring Season – 7th place
2022 Fall Season – 5-3-2, 17 pts., 26 GF 14 GA, 2nd place
Miami United began play in 2012 and maintains teams in the NPSL and Miami United’s U-23 team have entered Open Cup qualifying twice in the past while playing in the UPSL. Their first foray in qualifying came in 2018 with a one and done entry. In 2020 qualifying Miami United qualified with a 4-0 win over Hurricane FC, but the Open Cup was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Miami’s NPSL had earned an Open Cup bid though their 2019 season performance in the NPSL but declined as most of their roster was cup-tied with the UPSL team that qualified from the Open Division.
Miami United ‘s NPSL club have qualified for the Open Cup four times (2015, 2017, 2018 & 2022), with their deepest run coming in 2018 when they reached the Fourth Round. Miami United has two teams in the NSL, their first team in the South Florida Elite Division and their u23 team plays in the Premier Division (2nd tier).
Win and You’re In history
In 2020 qualifying it was Miami United’s u-23 team (then playing in the UPSL) that qualified for the Open Cup with a 4-0 win over fellow UPSL club Hurricane FC. Bautista Dominquez gave Miami United a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute. Darryl Gordon, Nicolas Micoli and William Stamatis each added goals before halftime to allow Miami United U-23 to cruise to an apparent Open Cup bid, but months after the game the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TheCup.us Match Report
How They Got Here
1R – Won 3-1 vs. Florida Brothers
2R – Won 5-0 at International Soccer Association
3R – Won 3-2 vs. City Soccer FC
Miami United won their opening round qualifying game 3-1 over NSL rivals Florida Brothers, Highlights
Miami United then whitewashed the UPSL’s International Soccer Association 5-0 in the second round. Two players with overseas professional experience scored goals in the first half. Andrea Pastore (formerly of Serie B & Serie C in Italy) scored the team’s second goal in the 31st minute. Not long after Robertino Insúa made it 3-0 in the 38th minute. The former Club Atlético San Lorenzo San Lorenzo (Argentina) player is returning after scoring a goal in last year’s First Round with Miami. Manuel Conte opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Miguel Benito (71’) and Shamar Shelton (83’) finished the scoring in the second half.
In the third round Miami United denied 2022 qualifier City Soccer FC a chance at a second consecutive Open Cup appearance with a 3-2 victory. Miguel Benito scored in the 9th minute to counter a 3rd minute City Soccer score. Pastore put Miami United up 2-1 in the 25th minute, but City Soccer tied the game 2-2 just eight minutes later. In the 55th minute Robertino Insua gave Miami United the winning goal off a free kick.
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Capistrano FC (NISA Nation / USASA)
at
Orange County FC (UPSL)
Orange County Great Park (Field 13); Irvine, CA
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m.
LIVE STREAM: TBA
Orange County FC | Mission Viejo, CA
UPSL SoCal North Division
2022 Spring Season – 8-1-3, 27 pts., 42 GF 10 GA, 2nd place.
UPSL SoCal Central Division
2022 Fall Season – 9-0-1, 28 pts., 41 GF 12 GA, 1st place
The UPSL’s Orange County FC are managed by U.S. Men’s National team legend Paul Caligiuri. OCFC return to Open Cup qualifying after a six-year hiatus, with their lone qualifying game ending in a 3-0 loss to La Marquina FC in 2017. Orange County turned a second-place finish in the UPSL SoCal North Spring season into a championship run, going all the way in the UPSL playoffs to defeat Beaman United 3-1 in the Final. Orange County are looking to take the UPSL Fall championship as well, sweeping through the SoCal Central playoffs with a pair of 3-0 wins to reach the UPSL Round of 32.
Orange County FC’s parent club in the NPSL has appeared in the Open Cup in 2018 and 2019. In the 2019 run OCFC knocked off a pair of USL Championship clubs (Orange County SC and Las Vegas Lights) to earn a game with the LA Galaxy in the Fourth Round, becoming the second NPSL team to play against a MLS club in the Open Cup.
Win and You’re In history
While this is Orange County FC’s first Win and You’re In game, as the sole UPSL survivor from Southern California they’ll look to keep the streak alive of at least one SoCal UPSL club gaining entry into the Open Cup via Open Division qualifying since 2016.
In 2016 San Nicolas FC, La Maquina and Los Angeles Wolves FC all earned a berth in the 2016 tournament when the Third round was called off and all of the second round winners were granted Open Cup berths.’ In 2017 La Maquina and LA Wolves qualified once again, this time being joined by Moreno Valley FC. La Maquina and LA Wolves made it three in a row in 2018, with Santa Ana Winds joining the duo.
In 2019 the Open Division allocation was reduced to eight teams, but Cal FC made the cut with a 4-1 win over Santa Ana Winds. While the 2020 tournament was eventually cancelled, Cal FC once again survived the final qualifying game against another UPSL club with a 2-1 win over Oxnard Guerreros FC. Last year, San Fernando Valley FC and Escondido FC became the two latest UPSL clubs to make the Open Cup field.
How They Got Here
1R – Won 3-1 at Trojans FC
2R – Won 7-1 vs. Temecula FC
3R – Won 7-3 vs. Escondido FC
In the opening round of qualifying OCFC topped fellow UPSL club Trojans FC 3-1. After being tied 1-1 in the opening half, Orange County jumped in front through a penalty kick, then extended their lead to 3-1 just before halftime.
Orange County FC cruised to a 7-1 win in their second round game over Temecula FC (SWPL), jumping out to a 4-0 lead after 30 minutes, adding three more goals I the second half.
OCFC needed to climb out of a first half hole to eventually win 7-3 over fellow UPSL club Escondido FC. Escondido’s Robert Guerrero Escobedo and Marcos Celestino gave their club a 2-0 halftime lead. Midway through the second half Orange County began their comeback with a 61st minute goal from Jonathan Joel Umana. Seven minutes later Lorenzo La Violette would tie the game, and two minutes after that Jose Montes De Oca put OCFC ahead 3-2. Escondido saw a player sent off in the 77th minute, but they found the equalizer in the 90th minute on a goal from Yerry Mendez. Four minutes into extra time De Oca gave Orange County the lead once again and completed his hat trick in the 100th minute. Just before the extra time break Miguel Moreno Rodriguez gave Orange County their sixth goal, and in the 127th minute Umana netted his second of the game for the 7-3 win.
Capistrano FC | San Juan Capistrano, CA
NISA Nation Southwest Region
2022 Spring Season – 8-0-0, 24 pts., 32 GF 12 GA, 1st place
SoCal Premier League Men’s Open
2022 Fall Season – 8-0-0 24 pts., 38 GF 8 GA (ONGOING)
Capo FC started in 2006 as a youth soccer organization and began competing in the UPSL and Southwest Premier League and the team moved to NISA Nation in 2022.
As part of the Southwest Premier League Capo FC got to the final round of 2022 Open Cup qualifying, where they lost to San Fernando Valley FC 2-1. Capo then moved to NISA Nation for 2022 season where they finished first in the NISA Nation Southwest Region with an 8-1-1 record. Capo FC also have a team playing in the 2022 Fall season of the SoCal Premier League, in which they lead the Open division by eight points with a perfect 8-0-0 record.
Win and You’re In history
Capo FC’s only other appearance in a Win and You’re In game came last year and ended in a 2-1 loss to San Fernando Valley FC. SFV grabbed the lead with a goal from Miguel Ortiz in the 17th minute, assisted by Charlie Cazares. Twenty minutes into the second half SFV pushed their lead to 2-0 when Hadmid Babaali scored area a deflection from the Capo goalkeeper. Capo pulled one back in the 82nd minute on a Marcos Cervantes header but couldn’t find the tying goal afterwards.
How They Got Here
1R – Won via forfeit over OC Kings FC. OC Kings did not have enough players
2R – Won 4-1 at Laguna United FC
3R – Won via forfeit over Desert FC. Desert FC did not have enough players
So far Capo FC has only had to win one of their three scheduled games to reach the final round. Capo won their opening 2023 qualifying game via forfeit when their opponents, OC Kings FC of the UPSL, did not have enough eligible players to play. In the second round,
Capo had to wait an extra 72 hours to top the UPSL’s Laguna United FC 4-1, as lightning forced the match scheduled for Sunday Oct. 15 to be pushed to Oct. 19. Capo jumped on top quickly through a Daniel Segal goal in the 4th minute, soon followed by Fatmir Becovic’s tally. Hevany Mota scored just before and after halftime, and Capo held the four goal advantage until Laguna pulled one back late in the game.
In the third round Capo FC got a free pass yet again when they were informed by U.S. Soccer on the day of the game that Desert FC would have to forfeit because they did not have enough players. Capo became the first team since 2016 to benefit from two forfeit wins in a single qualifying run.